Skidder carriage



April 27 1926.

C. L.. HAWKINS SKIDDER CARRIAGE Filed June 19. 1925 f INVENTQR. eawm/C7166 UFL e A TTORNE Y.

Patented pr. 27, 1.926.

UNITED STATES CHESTER LEEHAXVKINS, 0F SUNBURST, NORTH CAROLINA.

SKIDDEB CARRIAGE.

Application led June 19, 192'5.

To all whom it may con-cem:

Be it known that I, CHESTER Lnn HAW- iiiNs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Sunburst, in the county of Haywood and State ofNorth Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSkidder Carriages, ofl which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a slidder carriage, and has for its object toprovide a carriage of such class, in a manner as hereinafter lset forth,with means whereby it is safe and reliable to skid down a hill towardsthe slridder as well as up hill; with means whereby an engine and slackline are relieved of strain from the load; with means whereby thecarriage and load are automatically locked to the overhead suspendingcable for the carriage when the re-haul cable is broken, and with meansfor removing the weight of the load from off of the skidder cable andtravelling from the woods to the skid yard.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a skidder carriage which is simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughlyefcient and convenient in its use, readily assembled, and comparativelyinexpensive to set up.

1With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invent-ion,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

The drawing illustrates, in vertical section, a slridder carriage inaccordance with this invention.

leferringto the drawings in detail, a skidder carriage, in accordancewith this invention, comprises a housing consisting of a pair ofvertically disposed plates 2, only one shown, and which are vof the samecontour, and of substantial height and width. One of the lower cornersof each of the plates is cut away,`as at 3. The plates 2 are arranged inopposed spaced relation and interposed'between the top of the plates,centrally thereof, is a spacing block 4, having curved ends 5.Interposed between the plates 2, at one side thereof, is a series ofholding the load in place whileV gether.

serial No. 38,379.

vertically disposed spacing bars 6, 7 and 8 and each of which is ofsubstantial thickness. The bar 6 is arranged above and spaced from thebar 7 to provide a passage 9. The bar 7 is arranged above and spacedfrom the bar 8. Interposed between the bottoms of the plates 2 is aspacing block 10 and also interposed between the plates 2,. at the lowerportion andother side thereof, is an angle-shaped spacing strip 11. Thelower end of the strip 11 is spaced from the inner end of the block 10.Arranged between the plates 2, at that side opposite the side betweenwhich the bar 7 is interposed, is a vertically extending spacing block12, positioneda substantial distance above e upper end of the strip 11.Interposed between the plates 2 and positioned adjacent a side edgethereof isa spacing plate 13 of rectangular contour and interposedbetween the plates 2 and positioned in spaced relation with respecttothe bar 7 and block 12 is a triangular spaced spacing plate 14.

'Holdfast devices 15 are employed for connecting the block 4 and theplates 2 tol-loldfast devices 16 are arranged at the upper corners 0fthe plates 2 for connecting them together. Holdfast devices 17 areprovided for connecting the bar 6 and plates 2 together. Holdfastdevices 18 are employed for connecting the plates 2 to the bar 8, block10, strip 11 and block 12. The holdfast devices 15, 16, 17 and 18consist of bolts provided with nuts. Holdfast devices 19 are employedfor connecting the plates 2 to the bar 7 and plate 14. -Hold fastdevices 2O are employed for connecting the plate 18 to the plates 2. Theholdfast rIhe block 4, bars 6, 7 8, block 10, strip 11, block 12, plates13 and 14 can be vtermed ller blocks.

The bar 6 has projecting from its inner side edge a pair of spaced lugs21, 22 and which are positioned intermediate the ends of said edge. Thebar 8 is cut away on its inner side to provide a seat 22. The block 10has the inner portion of its upper edge inclined upwardly,fas at 23,towards the inner end of said block and the inclined portion 23 of saidupper .edge terminates in a protuberance 24 positioned at the upperinner corner of the block 10 and which is of circular contour. Thevertical side edge of theplate 14 is cut away to form a seat 25.

' devices 19 and 2O are in the form of rivets. A

The plates 2 carry a pair of stop members 26, 27 which are spaced fromeach other, and the member 27 is arranged below the member 26. Themembers 26 and 27 oppose and are spaced a substantial distance from thebar 6. The member 27 is spaced` a greater distance from the bar 6 thanthe member 26. Each of said stop members in the form of a bolt providedwith a nut, and said bolts extend through the plates 2. Carried by theplates 2 is a pair of spaced supporting members 28, 29, arranged inparallelism and opposing the inner end of the passage 9. rthe members 28and 29 are spaced from the vpassage 9 and the member 29 is spaced agreater distance from said passage than the member 23. Arranged belowthe members 28 and 29 and positioned adjacent the inner end of the blocklO, as well as being spaced therefrom is a pair of stop members 30, 31,the former is arranged above the latter. The member 3l is spacedrearv-Jardly with respect to the member 30. rllhe members 30 and 3loppose the bar 3 and are spaced a substantialdistance therefrom, andwith the member 3l spaced a greaer distance than the member 30. llhemember 3l is of greater diameter than the member 30. The member 30 aswell asthe member 3l consists of a bolt and a nut and which extendsthrough the plates 2.

Secured to the plates 2, at the upper poi tion thereof is a pair ofspaced parallel. bearing pins 32, 33 and upon each of which is mounted asheave 34. The block 4 is positioned between the upper portions of thesheave 34. Arranged below the bearing pin 32 and spaced from the sheavecarried by said pin 32 is a bearing pin 35, provided with a spool 36 ofmaterially less diameter than the sheave. Arranged at the inner end ofthe passage 9 1s a stop member 36 which is in the `form of a bolt andnut and is connected with the plates 2. Connected to the plates 2 arebearing pins 37, 33, 39, 40, 4l and 42. Mounted on the pin 37 is a spool43 positioned adjacent the outer end of thek plate 13. Carried by thepin 38 is a spool 44 positioned in proximity to, but spaced from theupper end of the bloclt l2. The pins 39 and 40 are arranged in spacedrelation and positioned between the lower end of the block l2 and upperend of the strip ll. The pin 39 is arranged above the pin 40 and carriesa spool 45. Mounted on the pin 40 is a spool 46. Carried by the pin 4lis a sheave 47, and mounted on the pin 42 is a lever arm 48 whichopposes the bars 7 and 8, is vertically disposed and has its lower endpositioned in proximity to but spaced from the block l0. rlhe lever arm48 is spaced from the bars 7 and 8.

The overhead or suspension cable for the carriage is indicated at 49 andwhich forms a track, and travelling' thereon are the sheaves 34 carriedby the pins 32 and 33. The cable 49 extends between the spool 36 andsheave 34 arranged in close proximity to the cable 49. rlhe re-haulcable is indicated at 50, the slack line cable at 51, and the skiddercable at 52.

F or the purpose of automatically locking the carriage to the cable 49when the re-haul cable 50 breaks, a spring controlled locking mechanismis provided and which not only includes the spool 36, but a springcontrolled locking arm 53 which normally rests on the stop member 26 andhas its 'free end extend into the spool 36 so that when the arm 53 isreleased it will ride on the spool. 36 to a position to wedge betweenthe spool and cable 49 to prevent travelling of the carriage on thelatter. The arm 5'3 is normally maintained against the stop member 26 bya spring 54 connected at one end, as at 55, to the arm 53, and at itsother end, as at 56 to a slidable vertically disposed carrier 57 for thearm 53. The carrier 57 consists of a rectangular plateprovided with alengthwise slot 58 for the mounting of tho carrier on the stop member27. The arm 53 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the carrier57, as at 59.V The locking member is actuated through the medium of aspring controlled re-haul lug when the rc-haul cable breaks.

The re-haul lug to which the re-haul cable 50 is secured, is referred togenerally by the reference character 60 and is formed of a pair of arms6l, 62, one offset with respect to the other so that the arms willextend in parallel planes. The arm 62 is arranged above the arm 6l andrides on the supporting members 28, 29. rlhe arm 62, in proximity to itsinner end, is formed 'with a vertically disposed triangular extension63, terminating in a lateral lug 64 which extends towards the bar 6. Thearm 6l is formed with a lengthwise slot 65 for the purpose of slidablymounting the re-haul lug on the strip member 36. The arm 6l isfurthermore provided with an opening 66 for connecting the re-haul cable50 therewith. The arm 6l extends through the passage 9. The controllingspring'for the re-haul lug 60 is indicated at 67 and is positioned abovethe arm 62 and interposed between the extension 63 and lugs 2l and 22.Under normal conditions the re-haul cable 50 maintains the spring 67under tension. Now if the re-haul cable 50 should break, springs 67would expand, forcing the re-haul lug 50 inwardly and against the lowerend of the carrier 57, whereby the latter willbe rocked on its stopmember, so that the arm 53 will be shifted towards the spool 36 and bemoved to a wedging position with respect to the spool 36 and cable 49,thereby locking the carriage from movement.

carried by the pin 32. The spool 36 is The slack line cable 51 travels.between the spools 43 and 44 and also between' the lower end of theblock 12 and sheave 45. The slack line cable 51 further travels aroundasheave 68 carried by a' bearing 69 which projects from one end of aconnecting arm 70, which is arranged between the plate 14 and the stopmembers 28, 29 and these latter constitute a guide for said arm 70. Theplate 14 has a curved edge 71 arranged in proximity to the sheave 68 andsaid curved edge 71 provides a support for the slieave 68when the latterlowers. rlhe arm 70 ispivotally connected as at 72, to the upper end ofthe lever 48 and the latter is spring controlled through the medium of acontrolling spring 73 which is interposed between the plate 14 and thelever 48 above the bearing pinl 42. The lever 48 is provided with alateral lug 74 which extends into one end of the spring 73. The otherend of the spring 73 is mounted in the seat 25. The stop memberassociates with that portion of the lever 48 below the bearing pin 42and is normally maintained against said stopkmeinher by a controllingspring 7 5, which is interposed between the lower portion of the lever48 and the bar 8-and extends in an opposite direction with respect tothedirection in which the spring'7 3 extends. One end of the spring 75 isarranged in the seat 22 andl its other end has lextending therein' a lug76 which projects laterally from the lever`48.

The skidder cable passes between the spools and 46 and around theslieave 47 and then downwardly between the block 10 and lower end of thestrip 11. The skidder cable carries a load stop 77 of frusto-conicalcontour. Associated with the stop 77 is a holding dog 78, which ispivotally connected, at one end, as at 79, toY the lower end of thelever 48. The dog 78 extends towards the sheave 47 and has its free endedge 8O inclining upwardly and towards the sheave 47. The lower edge ofthe dog 78 is provided with a curved seat 81 for the reception of theprotuberance or extension 24. The stop member 31 associates with the dog78 for limiting its upward movement. Y

rlhe slack line sheave 68 travels back and forth between the plates 2and is connected with the holding dog 78 through the medium of the arm70 and lever 48. lVhen the load stop 77 is resting on the dog 7 8, thustaking the weight of the load off of the skidder cable and holding theload in place while travelling from the woods to the skid yard. The saiddog 78 is maintained in such position by the springs 73 and 75. When theload reaches its destination the re-haul line 60 is held tight, the skidline 52 is given a pull, thus disengaging the load stop 77 allowing forthe load to descend to the ground. 44', 45 and 46 are in the form ofsmallV sheaves and the purpose thereof is to takeV care of the slackthat occurs at times in `the different cables and to take the wear fromthe plates 2.

yThe function of the spring 54 is to normally maintain the arm 53 andcarrier 57 in taining mechanism. The spring controlled re-haul lugprovides what may be termed an actuating mechanism for the lockingmechanism for the carriage.

It is thought that the many advantages of a skidder carriage, inaccordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and

although the preferred embodiment of the .i

invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understoodthat changes in the details of construction can be had which will fallwithin the scopf of the invention as claimed.

WVhat I claim is 1. A skidder carriage comprising a housing. providedwith sheaves for travelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adaptedto'be carried by a skidder cable, a spring controlled holding elementwithin the housing and having one end thereof normally positioned in thepath of and adapted to support said stop to remove the weight of theload from off the skidder cable, and a spring controlled slack lineconnecting mechanism arranged within the housing, above said element andhaving its lower end pivot ally connected to the other end of saidelement and constituting -a carrying, a releasing and a retaininfrdevice for said element.

2. A s ridder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adapted to be carried bya skiddei` cable, a spring controlled holding element within the housingand having one end thereof normally. positioned in the path of andadapted to support said stop Vto remove the weight of the load from edthe skidder cable, a spring controlled slack line connecting` mechanismarranged within the housing, above said element and having its lower endpivotally connected to the other end of said element and constituting acarrying, a releasing and a retaining device for said element, a stoparranged at one side of said mechanism for arresting movement thereof inone direction, and a stop arranged over said element for arresting theupward movement thereof.

3. A'skiddcr carriage comprising a housing provide with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adapted to be carriedlby a skidder cable, a spring controlledholding element within thehousing llO and having one end thereof normally positioned in the pathof and adapted to support said stop to remove the weight of the loadfrom off the skidder cable, a spring controlled slack line connectingmechanism arranged within the housing, above said element and having itslowei` end pivotally connected to the other end of said element andconstituting a carrying, a releasing and a retaining device for saidelement, and ineans arranged below said element to kprovide a seat forthat end thereof positioned in the path of the stop.

il. A slridder ca 1riage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a sheave ai'raiiged within saidhousing at one lower coi'ner thereof, a skidder cable travelling oversaid slieave and depending from the housing centrally thereof, a loadstop fixedly secured to the depending portion of said skidder cable, aspring controlled holding element ai'- ranged in the lowei' portion ofthe housing and having' one end thereof normally positioned in 'the pathof and adapted to support the stop to remove the weight of the load fromolil the skidder cable, and a spring controlled slacl: lineconnecting'mechanism positioned within the housing above said element,pivotally connected at its lower end to 'the other end of said elementand constituting a carrying, a releasing and a retaining device for saidelement.

5. A skidder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves for'travelling upon a suspension cable, a sheave arranged within saidhousing at one lower corner thereof, a skidder cable travelling over'said shea-ve and depending from the housing centrally thereof, a loadstop lixedly secured to the depending portion of said skidder cable, aspring controlled holding element` ar'- ranged in the lower portion ofthe housing and having one end therof normally positioned in the path ofand adapted to support the stop to remove the weight of the load fromoff the skidder cable, a spring controlled slack line connectingmechanism positioned within the housing above said element, pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the other end of said Velement andconstituting` a carrying, a releasing and a retaining device for saidelement, and means arranged in the lower portion of the housing toprovide a seat for thatl end of said element which is normallypositioned in the path of the stop.A

6. A skidder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a sheave arranged within saidhousing at one lower corner thereof, a skidder cable travellingoversaidV sheave and depending from the housing centrally thereof, aload stop xedly secured to the depending portion of said skidder cable,

a spring controlled holding element Varrane'ed in the lower portion ofthe housing and having one end thereof normally positioned in the pathof and adapted to sup-- poi'tl the stop to Vremove the weight ofthe loadfrom olf the skidder cable, a spring controlled slack line connectingmechanism positioned within the housing above said ele- Y'. A skiddercarriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves for travelling upona suspension cable, a sheave arranged within said housing at one lowercorner thereof, a skidder cable travelling oversaid sheave and dependingfrom the housing centrally thereof, a load stop ixedly secured to thedepending portion of said slridder cable, a spring controlled holdingelement arranged in the lower portion of the housing and having' o-neend thereof normally positioned in the path of and adapted to supportthe stop to remove the weight of the load from olf the skidder cable, aspring controlled slack line connecting mechanism po'- sitione'd withinthe housing abo-ve said element, pivotally connected at its lower end tothe other end of said element and constituting a carrying, a releasingand a retaining device for said element, a stop positioned at one sideof said mechanism for arresting movement in one direction thereof, astop arranged over said eleinent'for arresting the upward movementthereof, means arranged in the lower portion of said housing to providea seat for that end of said element positioned in the path of the loadstop, and guiding means for said mechanism.

8. A skidder carriage comprising a housingV provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adapted to be cari'iedby a skidder cable, a spring conti'olled holding' element within thelower portion of the housing and having one end thereof normallypositioned in the path of and adapted to support thestop to remove theweight of the load from off the ski'dder.

cable, and a. spring controlled slack line connecting mechanism arrangedwithin the housing above said element, said mechanism including a leverpivoted intermediate its ends and havine' its lower end connected to theother end of said element, said mechanism further including a pair ofcontrolling springs extending in opposite directions with respect toeach other, one arranged above the other and bearing against oppositesides of said lever and acting to nor` mally maintain said element inthe path ofl the load stop, said mechanism providing a carrying, areleasing and a retaining device for said element.

9. A slidder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adapted to be carried bya skidder cable, a spring controlled holding element within the lower)ortion of the liousino` and having one end thereotnormally positionedin the path of and adapted to support the-stop to remove the weight otthe load from oli the slridder cable, a spring controlled slack lineconnecting mechanism arranged within the housing above said element,said mechanism including a lever pivoted intermediate its ends andhaving its lower end connected to the other end of said element, saidmechanism further including a pair of controlling springs extending inopposite directions with respect to each other, one arranged above theother and bearing against opposite sides of said lever and acting tonormally maintain said element in the path ot the load stop, saidmechanism providing a carrying,

a releasing and a retaining` device 'for said I element, means withinthe housing for arresting movement in one direction of said mechanism,and means within the housing for arresting the upward movement of saidelement.

10. A skidder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspensio-n cable, a loa'd stop adapted to be carriedby a skidder cable, a spring controlled holding element within the lowerportion of the housing and having` one end thereof normally positionedin the path of and adapted to support the stop to remove the weight ofthe load from ofi the skidder cable, a spring controlled slack lineconnecting mechanism arranged within the housing above said element,said mechanism including a lever pivoted intermediate its ends andhaving its lower end connected to the other end of said element, saidmechanism further including a pair of controlling springs extending `inopposite directions with respect to each other, one arranged above the`portion of the other and bearing against opposite sides of said leverand acting to normally maintain said element in the path of the loadstop, said mechanism providing a carrying, a releasing and a retainingdevice for said element, means within the housing for arresting movementin one direction of said mechanism, means within the housing forarrest-- ing the upward movement of said element, and means within thelower portion of the housing to provide a seat for that end of saidelement positioned in the path of the load stop.

1l.v A skidder carriage comprising a housing provided with sheaves fortravelling upon a suspension cable, a load stop adapted to be carried bya slridder cable, a spring controlled holding element within the lowerhousing and having one end thereof normally positioned in the path ofand adapted to support the stop to remove the weight oit` the lo-ad fromoff the skidder cable, a spring controlled slack line connectingmechanism arranged within the housing above said element, said mechanismincluding a. lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having its lowerend connected to the other en'd of said element, said mechanism furtherincluding a pair of controlling springs eX- tending in oppositedirections with respect to each other, one arranged above the other andbearing against opposite sides of said lever and acting to normallymaintain said element in the path of the load stop, said mechanismproviding a carrying, a releasing and a retaining device for saidelement, means within the housing for arresting movement in oneJdirection ot said mecha.- nism, means within the housing for arrestingthe upward movement of said element, means within the lower portion ofthe housing to provide a seat for that end of said ele ment positionedin the path of the load stop, and guiding means withinthe housing forsaid mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

CHESTER L. HAWKINS.

